On Dec. 5 the Albany Landmarks Advisory Commission held a public hearing and approved the installation of a bakery’s exterior vent. Why a hearing and all the bureaucracy that goes with it for such a routine item? That’s a question the city council might want to ponder and then do something about.

This building on First Avenue in downtown Albany has been closed since part of its façade collapsed during attempted repairs more than a year ago. But now the owner has submitted repair plans for the city’s review.